awashlogs | (no subject)

[The sun had set a few hours ago, taking away the light and heat that helped to make the outdoors a little less frigid, but with some borrowed warm clothes and provisions in his pocket, Link has enough experience in weather like this to comfortably walk through town and maybe even enjoy the peaceful snowfall.

Although, it may not be peaceful for too long. Through the darkness and the flurries, Link sees something move. He stops and stands still as he peers into the darkness. Had it just been a clump of snow falling from the edge of a roof? His imagination? Perhaps. Something doesn't feel right, though.

Cautiously, he walks up to the house and knocks. It isn't so late that anyone inside is asleep, hopefully, and it would put his mind at ease to check on them.]

[ Once the last dregs of daylight disappear behind the horizon, Ryo lights his fireplace and settles down in front of it with a nice book as the flames from the fire flicker and fade. It's a nice, relaxing way to spend the evening—at least until the sound of someone knocking on the door snaps his attention away from the book.

Exhaling a quiet sigh, he sets the book aside and heads out into the hallway to answer the door. This better not be someone doing the caroling quest; all holiday songs are better kept away from his house and he has no interest in hearing those. ]

Hello. What brings you here? [ He asks, regarding Link with an assessing glint in his eyes. ]

[The person who answers the door has a strangely sharp and piercing look to him. Link straightens up a little and gestures to the outer side of the building.]

Sorry to bother you, but I thought I saw something suspicious creeping around the corner over there. I wanted to check if everyone inside is alright.

[Must be okay if someone came to the door so calmly, but...]

I'm fine; thanks for your concern. [ He says politely, if a bit guarded. Link's concern is completely unwarranted, but he supposes that this is better than people interrupting his reading with singing.

He's about to ask him to leave when the sound of a window swinging open and juddering against the outside wall can be heard somewhere from the second floor; perhaps the suspicious thing couldn't enter the house through the chimney due to the lit fireplace and had to find an alternate way in. ]

Well, if you don't...

[His sentence stops when he hears the distinct sound of hinges creaking open. Link stares for a moment at the young man at the door, wide-eyed.]

...Did you hear that?

[It's not exactly appropriate weather for someone to be opening up their own bedroom window.]

Yeah. [ His eyes narrow and he half-turns to toss a glance toward the stairs. ] I don't have any housemates.

[ So it's looking likely that what Link saw just broke into his house. Something that's potentially dangerous, which is why Ryo isn't rushing upstairs. ]

[Link, on the other hand, is quite willing to rush upstairs. He cranes his neck to look inside over the man's shoulder, his brow furrowed with concern.]

I don't want to alarm you, but... it could've been whatever I saw, breaking in. [That goes without saying, of course, but Link didn't know what else to say in this awkward, uncomfortable, nervous moment. His eyes glance back to the man.]

I'll help you check whatever it was, if you like?

That would be appreciated. [ He does in no way need the help, but if nothing else Link can be used as bait. ]

Let's go.

[ With that, he starts walking up the stairs with quick steps, the fifth step creaking as he places his foot on it. As soon as he reaches the second floor, he disappears into his bedroom and returns a few seconds later holding his rifle. ]

[Link doesn't recognize the object in his hands, but considering the situation and its general shape, he assumes it's a weapon of some kind - maybe a club or a mace. It makes no difference to him, as he'd already drawn his sword as they climbed the stairs.

The house is quiet aside from their footsteps. Whatever the source of the noise was, it must not have been in the room he'd just came back from. He looks to the man and tips his head in the direction of a second door farther down the hallway. Should they check that room next?]

[ Good idea. Ryo moves as silently as possible toward the next door and pushes it open. He's immediately greeted by a cold draft of air coming from the open window in the room and he cautiously pokes his head inside, fingers curling tighter around his rifle as he flicks his gaze around to search for movement.

For a moment, it doesn't seem like the intruder is there—but then he sees something in the periphery of his vision and he quickly ducks down to avoid the ice spell aimed at his head. ]

[Link was already curled against the outside of the door as cover when the blast of ice whooshes past his face. It doesn't seem much different from the blasts he'd dodged many times from Wizzrobes back in Hyrule - so it's a good thing the man had dodged it.

Still, the spell wasn't accompanied by the telltale giggling and clinking of magic, so it couldn't be a Wizzrobe either. He couldn't rush into the room without knowing more about what they're up against. Clenching his teeth, he sheaths his sword and draws his bow instead.

Talking never worked with monsters, but who knows what this thing is. It's worth it to try.]

Leave the way you came and we won't need to fight! You're outnumbered!

[Tree? Spiders? Link doesn't get the connection. Or either part of it, really. But if it's something that the mysterious powers-that-be want everyone to do, he's willing to comply.

Link waits at the edge of the woods in the meeting spot he'd agreed upon with Akira, checking and double checking the weapons and supplies he brought with him. They weren't going to be gone for long, but he's always happier to be safe than sorry.]

[Akira arrives hefting an axe big enough for chopping down whatever tree they choose from the forest. It feels a little weird when back home all you needed to do was buy a tree from a store if you really wanted one, but a quest is a quest, and if it'll make a spider happy...

He nods at Link, the axe resting almost carelessly over one shoulder. He doesn't even need it, honestly, but if he's to keep up the facade of Normal Human™ he might as well make a token effort.]

Hey. Are you ready to go in?

[Link spares a glance at the axe, his mind unavoidably sizing it up as a potential weapon if the need should unfortunately arise. Then he looks back to Akira and gives him a polite nod.]

Yup. Let's go.

[Not that Link really knows anything about this custom they're meant to replicate. His eyes sweep around as they begin to walk past by the outermost trees.]

So, um... do you have an idea of what sort of tree we're looking for? Does it matter?

It's usually a pine tree or a fir tree, that kind of thing. If we can't find anything like it, it's probably fine to improvise, so long as we decorate it like a Christmas tree.

[Akira's equally alert as they enter the forest, looking for potential threats. Doing anything dangerous with a human around is always a gamble, one that he's aware always comes with the risk of outing him as a Devilman. Hopefully this quest is just something straightforwardly festive and not something meant to lure them into a false sense of security.]

I don't know what a spider has to do with any of it, though...

That's what I was gonna ask next.

[Link grins at him and shrugs his shoulders, getting the feeling that Akira thinks this quest is strange, even as someone familiar with the tradition it's based on. The whole thing is weird to Link, but whatever.

His boots crunch in the snow as they walk.] Don't worry. If the spider gives us any trouble, I'll take care of it.

You think I can't handle a spider? [Akira snorts, though it's good-natured.] Thanks.

[Akira's not particularly good at explaining things beyond that, so he's not likely to elaborate on the tradition any time soon unless Link asks more questions.

It isn't long before they reach a part of the forest littered with towering evergreens, many far too big to be any use for a Christmas tree. If they could just find where some younger trees might be...]

If you see a tree like these, but smaller, let me know. That's what we're looking for.

Dunno. But I know I can.

[Link shrugs his shoulders, similarly good-naturedly. He'd definitely got the impression that Akira is not an ordinary civilian - at the very least, the guy is taller and more physically strong than the average person, and definitely much taller than the relatively diminutive Link. But that kinda stuff doesn't factor into Link's assumption of duty to protect everyone whenever possible.

Eventually, as they walk, Link spots a potentially good tree through the thicket. He points between two thick trunks.]

How about that one over there? Or is that too small?

[Akira spots the tree he indicates and heads over, giving the tree a once over. Compared to the others towering over it, it definitely looks small, but for Akira, it's the right size for the average indoor Christmas tree.]

It's perfect. Stand back.

[It almost feels like a waste to cut a tree down just a quest, but... Traditions are traditions? He hefts the axe, and, while a normal human would need a few hacks to chop it down, Akira does it in one swing. Then, he catches the tree in the other arm before it can topple over and damage any of the branches.

Most effortless tree felling ever.]

[Link opens his mouth to offer help, but before he can speak a word, he's watching Akira take care of it himself. And in record time. So now his mouth is just hanging agape, wordlessly, as he watches Akira catch the tree in a single arm.]

Wow! Are you a lumberjack or something?

[Link seems to be asking completely seriously. But even if he says yes, he doesn't feel like it would explain how expertly and expeditiously he'd just felled the tree. Link takes a few steps closer, really wanting to help if he can, but it's clear already that Akira doesn't need any.]

I don't think I've seen someone take down a tree so smoothly before.

Huh? [He blinks. Oh, right, he's supposed to be doing that whole... behaving like a normal human thing... Why is it so hard...]

I probably just got lucky. Or this axe is sharper than it looks. [He offers the axe for Link to carry, so he can carry the tree back more easily. ... The fact he can carry easily a tree is also probably not normal human behaviour, but it's probably too late to stop now, isn't it?]

[Link accepts the axe and tests its weight, the axehead bobbing for a few seconds. It's not that hefty of an axe and the blade looks sort of dull. It would take Link several swings to chop down a tree with this axe.

As they start heading back to town, Link can't help but regard Akira with skeptical curiosity. He watches him for a short while as they walk. Not only did he take down the tree easily, but he's carrying it like it's nothing, too.]

So, um... What's your story, then? [the question comes out awkward but Link doesn't know how else to broach the topic.] You're so tall and strong. You're not a lumberjack, so... Are you a solider back home, or something?

What? No, I'm not a soldier. I'm still in school.

[Akira had just wanted to be helpful and get the quest done quickly, but now he regrets not taking more time with it, or even letting Link handle it. Even in a place like this where powers are commonplace, he has to be more careful not to draw attention.]

I'm on the track team, though. I can run pretty fast.

School?

[Someone his age, still in school? Link could only imagine that he was upper-class, in that case, and studying to be an important scholar or scientist. But perhaps that's a wrong assumption to make, knowing how different some of the people here can be from what he's used to. Not to mention that he has no idea what the "track team" is.

Without knowing more about him, Link can't even formulate the right questions to get the right information to understand him better. So he shuffles along, thinking quietly to himself.]

I think you'd do well in the Royal Guard back in my world. At least, back when it was still around. That's what I used to do myself, even though I'm not very big compared to you and some of the others here. [he grins.]

[When he makes plans to decorate a second tree with Lux, Link is a bit more knowledgeable about the whole "Christmas" thing and knows what to expect. He walks through town to Lux's house, carrying fewer weapons on him than usual, and there's a pleasant little bounce in his step. The whole "Christmas spirit" thing has Link in a pretty good mood!

When he knocks on Lux's door and it swings open a moment later, he's smiling.] Ready to go?

[ Lux might not be an expert on Christmas, but it sounded similar enough to Snowdown. This would be the first holiday that she wouldn't be spending in Demacia City with family, and while she would miss all the revelry, that doesn't mean they couldn't spread a little cheer around town. Decorating a tree sounded like fun! She's never done it before!

His smile is absolutely infectious, and as she greets him at the door, Lux can't help but grin from ear to ear. ]

You bet!

[ Grabbing her stitched-together scarf and gloves, the smaller blond follows him toward town. It's difficult to contain her excitement, but she manages—even if the subtle skip in her step gives her away. Whoops. ]

So do you have celebrations like this in Hyrule?

[Link's boots crunch enjoyably in the snow as they walk, the sound woven together with the soft clink of his sheathed sword on his back.]

You mean, something similar to Christmas? [he considers it for a moment.] Um... I don't know, to be honest. I don't... remember. I don't think so, but I'm not sure.

[ She doesn't want to bring down the mood, but the fact that he doesn't remember something like that is... sad. She can't even begin to imagine how that must feel. But poking at that feels terribly gauche, so Lux doubles down instead, her smile growing. ]

In that case, we'll have to make this year one to remember. [ She nods firmly. ] And I know enough about Christmas now to be able to wing it.

[ According to the carols, it's about snow, and some gentleman named Santa Claus. And figgy pudding? She hasn't quite figured out what that is... ]

Yeah, me too.

[Detecting some possible sympathy from her, he smiles back reassuringly. This is about doing a quest and having a nice afternoon, not his baggage. He feels fine about it all anyway.

As they stomp through the snow, the buildings begin to thin out and the treetops rise higher and higher.]

Have you had a chance to decorate one of these already? I did it yesterday. It's weird, but sort of fun, too.

[ the forest, while holding many secrets, is not a friendly place to wander into. it hosts dangers and tests and while zelda isn't shy about entering, there's always a hesitance that comes with never knowing what could happen.

yet when her and link agree to take on this quest together inside, that same hesitance she would normally feel is completely absent. she feels calm and prepared and, though pride would never let her admit it, she knows it's because link is beside her. the weather has been shifting and the ground is blanketed in a light sheet of snow, even when the sun is high and there's only a light breeze. ]

Going through this forest always reminds me of going through the Lost Woods. It's such a tricky place, and you never know what to expect.

[This situation felt painfully familiar, like a word on the tip of your tongue that you couldn't quite remember no matter how hard you sifted through your vocabulary. He knows he followed Zelda just like this, at her side and slightly behind, dozens if not hundreds of times in the past. He could even remember a small handful of moments between them that sort of resembled the present. But he couldn't remember any specific moments like, no matter how familiar it felt or how much he wracked his brain.

It isn't particularly upsetting. Vague feelings of deja vu or familiarity had been common for him as he wandered around Hyrule. But... maybe it feels like more of a bummer lately because it's Zelda. When she speaks, it's almost like she read his mind.]

Did we ever go there together? [asked gently.] I had the Master Sword back then, so I always figured that maybe I'd been there in the past but couldn't remember.

Yes, we did. [ she smiles to match her tone, light as she walks beside him. ] I would have to visit the Deku Tree from time to time for counsel. You were the only one who could escort me - the spirits of the woods wouldn't permit anyone else but us to come through.

We would walk side by side, just like this, following the breeze of the wind through a lit torch. I had to insist on carrying it so that you would have your hands free to use your sword. Truly I just wanted to lead the way.

[ it's just another part of their birthright, destiny, so on and so forth. most people in hyrule cannot even perceive the existence of the spirits that reside and it's a sad thing. it makes her think something was lost over time, long ago before they were born. to have a connection like the one they do is rare and she holds an appreciation for it that she never properly grasped at when she was seventeen. ]

I'm happy to let you lead anyway. [Just like she's doing now. He offers her a supportive smile, trying to reassure her self-critical thoughts.

But her answer opens a new can of worms in his head. He glances around the trees idly.] Does that mean you were there when I pulled the sword the first time, too? The second time... wasn't exactly graceful, let's say. [he chuckles sheepishly.] It nearly knocked me out.

[ his laugh draws out one from her. the thought of it alone feels so very unlike the link she knew, but it's charming nevertheless. either way she's so very fond of him. ]

No. My father only introduced us formally after you pulled the sword. [ she turns her gaze to him, her smile softening. ] It was proof you were the chosen hero. The one of legend and prophecy, reborn to fight the Calamity.

I see. [That's all new information to Link. He looks away and into the woods contemplatively, his silence implying that something is weighing on his mind. It doesn't take long for him to speak again and broach the topic.]

I don't remember anything from before the day you anointed me. The Champions were there, too... Do you remember?

[He pauses for a moment to step wide over a fallen log, and then turns back to offer a hand to Zelda.] For me, that might as well be the first day of my life. I don't remember anything about what Hyrule Castle Town once looked like, or the rest of the Royal Guard... nothing.

[He really doesn't feel like the one of "legend" and "prophecy." But did he feel that way back then?]

[ she waits for him to step over the log but doesn't expect him to offer out a hand, a small 'oh' slipping out from her breath before she takes it. with his lead she takes the step over, but afterward she doesn't let go of his hand. instead she keeps her focus on his face, searching for something familiar, and then sighing. ]

I'm sorry. And I know I said that before, but I am. [ she looks down at their hands, abruptly pulling away when she realizes she's still clinging, and furrows her brow. ] If there's anything you ever want to ask, you can. Or... maybe if you don't want to know at all. I'm not going to expect you to be the same as you were before.

...Truthfully though, there may be some ill-found good in that. I think this is the most you've ever really spoken to me.

[Link stares back at her, reaching for something at the same time she is, but the moment is interrupted when she withdraws her hand. He respectfully lowers his back to his side and turns to keep walking.]

A lot happened after I woke up. I've had a lot of time to think about everything. So... I know I'm different now.

[He sighs and glances at her with a hesitant smile. Is this really the most he's ever said to her? Regretfully, that does match up with what he remembers. But back then, he was so committed to obeying the King that he might not have ever truly obeyed the Princess... much less been a real friend to her. Not until the very end, at least.

Link doesn't really know how to express the thoughts going through his head. Maybe it would be too presumptuous to tell the Princess he wants them to be friends. That doesn't quite describe the way he feels, anyway.]

I hope I can be different... in a good way. I want you to feel like you can ask me anything, too. You don't have to be the same as you were before either.

[ a smile, only on the edge of becoming a smirk. ] I'm most certainly not the same girl I was back then.

[ a lot changed, a lot of time has passed - both in hyrule and here - and she doesn't want to go back to those days. she has no intention to. ]

I think there's a lot we have to figure out. About ourselves most of all. It took me a long time to even like you back then, so you already have a leg-up on your former self!

[ she takes in a breath, anxious yet determined to speak her thoughts even when they feel so jumbled and compromised. When did she realize that she loved him? She isn't sure if there is a moment, but she knows that his memories and lack thereof don't matter. ]

And so... don't ever feel like you have to go back to how you were. I'll -- I'll always like you for who you are, no matter what.

[A more genuine smile spreads across his face. There's a silent beat, like he's relishing her words, but his facial expression remains calm.]

It means a lot to hear you say that. And I feel the same way about you. [He raises his fist encouragingly, taking a page from Sidon's book.] Let's rely on each other until we get home, alright? And let's find that bell. I don't think it's much farther.

Right.

[ her expression is equally calm, but her heart does flutter a beat when he says he feels the same way. a well-trained face is proving useful in these situations around link.

and so they continue on and sure enough link is right - a couple more minutes of walking and they come upon a small clearing with a tree in the center. and atop one of the tree's branches, a little ways up, is a shiny silver bell. ]

I think that must be it. We just need to ring it now.

[That's a bell alright. It must be "the" bell. Link stops when they reach the trunk of the tree and gazes up at it, hands on his hips.]

Do both of us need to ring it, or just one?

[He hadn't thought about it until just now. Regardless, without another word, he approaches the trunk and leaps onto it, his calloused hands and treaded boots gripping the bark tightly. It only takes a few seconds for him to climb to the bell and ring it.]

I wish... [Hmm. He ponders.] I wish for Princess Zelda's health and safety until we return home.

[ she isn't sure and she lets him go for it when he volunteers with action, smiling as she watches him go. no surprise it's such an easy climb for him and it gives her time to think on her wish. a warmer winter? maybe something to restore the library books? fixing up the church-- ]

-- Link!

[ and then he makes that wish and her face feels warm even with the coldness of winter chilling her skin. ]

[Link sits on the branch that the bell is hanging from, his legs swinging slightly with almost boyish energy. He grins at her.]

I can't think of anything I want more than that. [She looks cute from up here, with her cheeks turning pink, but he doesn't say that aloud of course.] Well? What's your wish?

I...

[ the practical wishes brew in her mind, still sticking out prominent and worthy of utilizing, and yet-- ]

I wish for your safety and health. The Goddesses know that you need is far more than I do, you reckless fool!

[ --yet she can't help but be a little childish in this moment. ]

[Zelda, you copied him! Still, he isn't surprised. He smiles apologetically down at her and reaches for a branch in front of him to begin climbing down.]

If you say so, Princess. Thanks. I guess we'll both be pretty safe for the time being.

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